Artistic Element Holder

Abstract

An artistic element holder comprising an artistic element platform with an artistic image permanently or semi-permanently mounted and an artistic element holder frame assembly capable of holding the artistic element platform.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Prior History

This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/673,140 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on 18 Jul. 2012.

2. Field of the Invention

This application covers an invention in the area of jewelry.

Conventional jewelry, such as necklaces and bracelets, which integrate artistic elements, such as precious stones, engravings, cut-outs, and images, are typically difficult to reconfigure for matching fashions. It is difficult to remove an artistic element and difficult to insert an artistic element. The difficulties of reconfiguration are even greater when the artistic element is art, which can be stored as a digital image and printed on a media, such as paper or cardboard. Further, images printed on paper or cardboard are not water resistant, as would be desired for jewelry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This application covers an invention for an artistic element holder, normally worn as a piece of jewelry.

The first embodiment of this invention provides an artistic element holder comprising an artistic element platform, further described as a being water-proof or water-resistant, being firm, and being a flat, convex or concave platform for permanently or semi-permanently mounting an artistic element, and an artistic element holder frame assembly, further described as a rectangular, circular, elliptical, or spline-defined frame assembly having two or more straight or curved legs facing each other, which are capable of holding the artistic element platform.

Among the legs of the artistic element holder frame assembly, there is a first leg facing a second leg, the second leg holding a spring loaded latch, the latch being capable of moving away from the artistic element platform and back towards the artistic element platform engaging the edge of the artistic element platform or a tab on the edge of the artistic element platform, to lock the artistic element platform to the artistic element frame assembly or to unlock the artistic element platform from the artistic element frame assembly.

The latch could be depressed by the insertion of the platform, when the platform edge or tab contacts an angled section of the latch, producing a force vector along the axis of latch movement, exceeding the spring force, or by a force applied by a thumb, finger or other object producing a force vector to the latch along the axis of latch movement, exceeding the spring force. A spring contained within the frame assembly provides a return force to automatically return the latch towards the artistic element platform, engaging and locking the artistic element platform into the artistic element frame assembly.

The legs each have a surface contacting the front face of the artistic element platform. The first leg also has an angled side wall contacting the first adjacent edge of the artistic element platform and an angled top surface that contacts the back face of the artistic element platform. The second leg, third leg, and fourth leg each also have a side wall contacting the adjacent edge of the artistic element platform.

When the latch has been depressed and allowed to spring back and engage the artistic element platform or tab, the lower surface of the latch contacts the back of the artistic element platform or tab. After this engagement, the artistic element platform is captivated within the artistic element frame assembly.

The artistic element frame assembly contains a decorative frame, which may be manufactured using a precious or decorative metal, assembled to a plastic or metal insert, which has a slot holding a spring and a latch, along with mounting screws and also hardware for mounting the artistic element holder to jewelry like necklaces and bracelets.

The second embodiment of this invention provides an artistic element holder comprising an artistic element platform, further described as a being water-proof or water-resistant, being firm, and being a flat, convex or concave platform for permanently or semi-permanently mounting an artistic element, and an artistic element holder frame assembly, further described as a rectangular, circular, elliptical, or spline-defined frame assembly having two or more straight or curved legs facing each other, which are capable of holding the artistic element platform.

Among the legs of the artistic element holder frame assembly, there is a first leg facing a second leg, the first leg comprising a first recessed latch receptacle, and the second leg comprising a second recessed latch receptacle. There is also a third leg facing a fourth leg, the third leg holding a spring wire-form. The spring wire-form, comprising a first latch point and a second latch point, can be positioned into a fully latched position with the first latch point latching into the first recessed latch receptacle and the second latch point latching into the second latch receptacle.

The legs each have a surface contacting the front face of the artistic element platform.

The first leg, second leg, third leg, and fourth leg each have a side wall retaining the adjacent edge of the artistic element platform.

When the first latch point of the spring wire-form has been depressed, moved toward the first leg and subsequently released, it latches into the first latch receptacle. When the second latch point of the wire-form has been depressed, moved toward the second leg and subsequently released, it latches into the second latch receptacle. When both latch points have been released into the two recessed latch receptacles, the spring wire-form is in its fully latched position. In its fully latched position, the spring wire-form's engagement exerts a force against the back face of the artistic element platform. After this engagement, the artistic element platform is captivated within the artistic element frame assembly.

When the artistic element platform is captivated within the artistic element platform assembly, the first and second latch points can be depressed and moved away from the first and second legs, freeing the artistic element platform from captivation, allowing the artistic element platform to be removed from the artistic element frame assembly.

The artistic element frame assembly contains a decorative frame, which may be manufactured using a precious or decorative metal, assembled to a plastic or metal insert, which has a slot holding a spring wire-form, along with mounting screws and also hardware for mounting the artistic element holder to jewelry like necklaces and bracelets.

Both embodiments of this invention, described above, allow an artistic element platform, with an artistic element permanently or semi-permanently mounted to it, to be easily inserted into and removed from an artistic element holder frame assembly, which may be decorative, to form a piece of jewelry. The artistic element holder may also contain additional hardware to allow connection of the artistic element holder to a piece of jewelry, such as a necklace, chain, bracelet, anklet, or other jewelry.

The artistic element holder frame assembly can be easily assembled with components manufactured using standard processes, such as casting, machining, stamping, rolling, molding, forming, and others.

The novel manufacturing process for the artistic element platform involves first cutting a firm water-proof material to the desired shape to form a platform, second applying a light colored coating to the platform to enhance reflectance of light through the artistic image, third applying a contact adhesive layer to a thin transparent or semi-transparent plastic film, fourth applying an artistic image using inks or paints to the thin transparent or semi-transparent plastic film, fifth adhering the thin transparent or semi-transparent plastic film to the platform, sixth applying a waterproof or water resistant coating, seventh applying a UV resistant coat, if desired.

This UV resistant coating will protect the colors from fading from UV deterioration. The result of this novel process is a micro-sized reproduction of art that is water resistant or waterproof and easily oriented, aligned, and inserted into or removed from a decorative frame assembly that can be worn as a piece of jewelry. The process above is one example of a process to manufacture the artistic element platform. The order of the steps may be changed slightly or a few steps could be added, deleted, or modified while not departing from the spirit of the invention.

The back face of the artistic element platform may also have an image applied using the process above and this image may contain coded information.

In another aspect, this invention provides an assembly comprising the artistic element holder previously described with a different novel process for manufacturing the artistic element platform, including first cutting a firm material to the desired shape to form a platform, leaving a substantial void within the artistic element platform to allow light to pass through the artistic element, second adhering an artistic element through any of a variety of bonding processes. The artistic element may be a stone, a piece of plastic or glass, a material with artistic pattern carved in, or any other type of decorative material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly in which an artistic element holder of this invention contains an artistic element platform of this invention, captivated within an artistic element holder frame assembly of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the insert of this invention containing a slot which holds a spring, depicted as a cylinder, and a latch.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one version of the artistic element platform, where the artistic element platform is a firm flat rectangular platform with a tab.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another version of the artistic element platform, where the artistic element platform is a firm flat rectangular platform with a rectangular cut-out and a tab.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the front of the decorative frame.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the back of the decorative frame.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the latch.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the artistic element holder frame assembly, containing a decorative frame, an insert with a slot containing a latch and a spring (spring is visible only in FIG. 2)

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cross-section of the artistic element holder frame assembly.

FIG. 10 is a second perspective view of a second cross-section of the artistic element holder frame assembly.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembly in which an artistic element holder of the second embodiment of this invention contains an artistic element platform of the second embodiment of this invention, within an artistic element holder frame assembly of the second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the insert of the second embodiment of this invention containing a slot to hold the spring wire-form of the second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of one version of the artistic element platform, where the artistic element platform is a firm flat rectangular platform with one or more large radii and/or large chamfers.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another version of the artistic element platform, where the artistic element platform is a firm flat rectangular platform with a rectangular cut-out.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the front of the decorative frame of the second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the back of the decorative frame.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the spring wire-form.

FIG. 18 is a partially exploded perspective view of the artistic element holder frame assembly of the second embodiment of this invention, containing a decorative frame, an insert, a spring wire-form, and a retainer of the second embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cross-section of the artistic element holder frame assembly.

FIG. 20 is a second perspective view of a second cross-section of the artistic element holder frame assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible to embodiments in many forms, there is shown in the figures, and will herein be described, two detailed and preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that this disclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the principles of this invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

As used herein, the phrase “artistic element holder” means a device by which an artistic element, mounted on a platform, is held in a decorative frame to be used as jewelry or other form of decoration. The phrase “artistic element platform” means a device which has an artistic element permanently or semi-permanently mounted to it. The phrase “artistic element holder frame assembly” means a decorative frame device that can hold the artistic element platform and can allow easy orientation, alignment, insertion and removal of the artistic element platform.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8, an artistic element holder 1 comprises an artistic element platform 7 and an artistic element holder frame assembly 2, which includes a decorative frame 3, an insert 4, a latch 5, a spring 6, mounting screws (not pictured) and hardware for mounting the artistic element holder 1 to a piece of jewelry (not pictured). The insert 4 has a mechanical stop surface 35.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, the artistic element holder frame assembly has a first leg 10, a second leg 11, a third leg 8 and a fourth leg 9. The first leg 10 has a first surface 12, a first angled side wall 14, and an angled top wall 15. The second leg 11 has a second surface 13, and a second side wall 16. The third leg 8 has a third surface 17 and a third side wall 18. The fourth leg 9 has a fourth surface 19 and a fourth side wall 20.

Referring also now to FIG. 3, the artistic element platform 7 of this invention has a tab 21, a front face 22, a back face 23, a first edge 24, a second edge 25, a third edge 26, a fourth edge 27, and an artistic image 37. The tab 21 has a back surface 28.

Referring also now to FIG. 4, the modified artistic element holder platform in another embodiment of this invention, has all of the same features as the artistic element platform described above, with the additional cut-out 30.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the decorative frame 3 has a cut-out 31 and a plurality of threaded mounting holes 32A, 32B, and 32C.

Referring to FIG. 7, the latch 5 has an angled surface 33, a lower surface 34, a positioning surface 36, and a spring bearing surface 38.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 7, 9, and 10, the artistic image platform 7, in its locked position, has its front surface 22 in contact with the first surface 12, the second surface 13, the third surface 17, and the fourth surface 19. Also in its locked position, the artistic element platform 7 has its first edge 24 retained by the first angled side wall 14, its second edge 25 retained by the second side wall 16, its third edge 26 retained by the third side wall 18, and its fourth edge 27 retained by the fourth side wall 20. Also in its locked position, the artistic element platform has its back face 23 retained by the angled top wall 15. Also in its locked position, the artistic element platform has a tab 21 with a back surface 28 retained by the lower surface 34 of the latch 5.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5, the artistic element platform 7, in its locked position, has an artistic image 37 located on its front surface 22, which is visible through the cut-out 31 of the decorative frame 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 7, 8, and 9, in its locked position, the spring 6 is in contact with, and applying force to, the spring bearing wall 38 of the latch 5, causing the position of the latch 5, axially along the second leg 11 to be fixed by contact of the positioning surface 36 of the latch 5 with the mechanical stop surface 35. This precise positioning allows the angled surface 33 of the latch 5 to be in the necessary position to allow the tab 21, of the artistic element platform 7, to contact the angled surface 33 of the latch 5 during insertion of the artistic element platform 7 into the artistic element frame assembly 2.

Referring now to FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 15, and 18 to describe a second embodiment of the invention, an artistic element holder 101 comprises an artistic element platform 107 and an artistic element holder frame assembly 102, which includes a decorative frame 103, an insert 104, a spring wire-form 106, a retainer 136, mounting screws (not pictured) and hardware for mounting the artistic element holder 101 to a piece of jewelry (not pictured).

Referring now to FIG. 12, the insert 104 has a slot 135, a first recess 121, a second recess 128, a plurality of matching large radii 138A, 138B, 138C, and/or matching large chamfers 133. The term “matching” in this specification refers to radii and/or chamfers that have a dimension similar to or less than the dimension of the adjacent radius or chamfer of the artistic element platform 107.

Referring now to FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, the artistic element holder frame assembly 102 has a first leg 110, a second leg 111, a third leg 108 and a fourth leg 109. The first leg 110 has a first surface 112, and a first side wall 114. The second leg 111 has a second surface 113, and a second side wall 116. The third leg 108 has a third surface 117 and a third side wall 118. The fourth leg 109 has a fourth surface 119 and a fourth side wall 120.

Referring also now to FIG. 13, the artistic element platform 107 of the second embodiment of this invention has a front face 123, a back face 122, a first edge 124, a second edge 125, a third edge 126, a fourth edge 127, and an artistic image 137, mounted on the front face 123.

Referring also now to FIG. 14, the modified artistic element holder platform 129 in another embodiment of the second embodiment of this invention, has all of the same features as the artistic element platform described above, with the additional platform cut-out 130.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the decorative frame 103 has a cut-out 131 and a plurality of threaded mounting holes 132A, 132B, and 132C.

Referring to FIG. 17, the spring wire-form 106 has a first latch point 105, a second latch point 115, a first corner 141, and a second corner 142.

Referring to FIGS. 13, 17, 19, and 20, the artistic image platform 107, when in its locked position, has its front surface 123 in contact with the first surface 112, the second surface 113, the third surface 117, and the fourth surface 119. Also in its locked position, the artistic element platform 107 has its first edge 124 retained by the first side wall 114, its second edge 125 retained by the second side wall 116, its third edge 126 retained by the third side wall 118, and its fourth edge 127 retained by the fourth side wall 120. Also in its locked position, the spring wire-form 106 is in contact with and applying force to the back face 122 of the artistic element platform 107.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 15, the artistic element platform 107, in its locked position, has an artistic image 137 located on its front face 123, which is visible through the cut-out 131 of the decorative frame 103.

Referring now to FIG. 18, in its locked position, the first latch point 105 of the spring wire-form 106 is in contact with and applying force to the first recessed latch receptacle 134 of the retainer 136. Also in its locked position, the second latch point 115 of the spring wire-form 106 is in contact with, and applying spring force to, the second recessed latch receptacle 140 of the retainer 136.

Operation

In order to insert the artistic element platform 7 into the artistic element frame assembly 2, the artistic element platform 7 is lowered at a slight angle so that the corner defined by the intersection of the front face 22 and the first edge 24 first contacts the third surface 17 and the fourth surface 19. Next, the artistic element platform 7 is moved towards the first leg 10, until the first edge 24 contacts the first angled side wall 14. Next, the second edge 25 of the artistic element platform 7 is lowered until the tab 21 contacts the angled surface 33 of the latch 5.

Next, a force, in excess of the spring force, is applied to the back face 23 of the artistic element platform 7 so that the tab 21 pushes against the angled surface 33, producing an axial force vector along the axis of the second leg 11. The axial force causes the latch 5 to move away from the tab 21 until the tab 21 reaches a point below the lower surface 34 of the latch 5. Next, the spring force, applied by the spring 6, moves the latch 5 back to its original position, locking the tab 21 by trapping the tab 21 between the second surface 13 and the lower surface 34. After the tab 21 is locked, the artistic element platform 7 is in its locked position within the artistic element holder frame assembly, as described earlier.

In order to remove the artistic element platform 7 from the artistic element frame assembly 2, a force, in excess of the spring force, is applied to the angled surface 33 of the latch 5 along the axis of the second leg 11 in a direction towards the third leg 8. The applied force moves the latch 5 along the axis of the second leg 11 until the tab 21 is no longer trapped between the second surface 13 and the lower surface 34. Next, a force is applied to the front face 22 of the artistic element platform 7. The applied force moves the second edge 25 out of the second leg 11, allowing the artistic element platform 7 to be easily pulled out of the artistic element holder frame assembly 2.

Thus, it can be seen that the artistic element platform 7 along with the artistic element 37 that is mounted to the artistic element platform 7, can be easily inserted into the artistic element holder frame assembly 2 and that the artistic element platform 7 along with the artistic element 37 that is mounted to the artistic element platform 7 can be easily removed from the artistic element holder frame assembly 2.

In the second embodiment of this invention, in order to insert the artistic element platform 107 into the artistic element frame assembly 102 the artistic element platform 107 is oriented, aligned, and lowered into the artistic element frame assembly 102 until its front face 123 is in contact with the first surface 112, second surface 113, third surface, 117, and fourth surface 119. Next, the spring wire-form 106 is pivoted about the centerline of the groove 135 until the spring wire-form 106 first contacts the back face 122 of the artistic element platform 107. Next the first corner 141 of the spring wire-form 106 is depressed and simultaneously moved towards the first recess 121 and then released, allowing the first latch point 105 to come into contact with and apply force to the first recessed latch receptacle 134. Next, the second corner 142 of the spring wire-form 106 is depressed and simultaneously moved towards the second recess 128 and then released, allowing the second latch point 115 to come into contact with and apply spring force to the second recessed latch receptacle 140, causing the artistic element platform 107 to be fully captivated within the artistic element frame assembly 102.

In order to remove the artistic element platform 107 from the artistic element frame assembly 102, the first corner 141 of the spring wire-form 106 is depressed and simultaneously moved away from the first recess 121 and subsequently released, allowing the first latch point 105 to disengage from the first recessed latch receptacle 134. Next the second corner 142 of the spring wire-form 106 is depressed and simultaneously moved away from the second recess 128 and subsequently released, allowing the second latch point 115 to disengage from the second recessed latch receptacle 140. Next the spring wire-form 106 is pivoted about the centerline of the slot 135 away from the artistic element platform 107 so that the spring wire-form 106 is no longer in contact with the artistic element platform 107. Next, the artistic element platform 107 is lifted out of the artistic element frame assembly 102.

Thus, it can be seen that the artistic element platform 107 along with the artistic element 137 that is mounted to the artistic element platform 107, can be easily inserted into the artistic element holder frame assembly 102 and that the artistic element platform 107 along with the artistic element 137 that is mounted to the artistic element platform 107 can be easily removed from the artistic element holder frame assembly 102.

Various modifications and alterations of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention, and it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. For example, the artistic element platform could be held into the artistic element holder frame with a quick-turn fastener, snap-in captivator, rotating cam, magnetic force or other captivating means.

Claims

1. An artistic element platform capable of holding an artistic element, further described as being water-proof or water-resistant, being firm, being flat, convex, or concave, further comprising one or more large radii and/or large chamfers, greater than 0.020 inches, for orientation and alignment of the artistic element platform within a decorative frame.

2. The artistic platform of claim 1 with a substantial void allowing a two or three dimensional artistic object to be bonded within the void.

3. The artistic platform of claim 1 with the back face of the artistic element platform containing an image containing coded information.

4. An artistic element frame assembly comprising a decorative frame and precision captivating means capable of insertion and captivation of the artistic element platform of claim 1.

5. An artistic element frame assembly comprising a decorative frame and precision captivating means capable of insertion and captivation of the artistic element platform of claim 1 and further comprising one or more matching radii and/or chamfers for orientation and alignment of the artistic platform within the artistic element frame assembly and with the radii and/or chamfers being approximately the same size or smaller than the adjacent radii and/or chamfers on the artistic element platform.

6. An artistic element frame assembly comprising a decorative frame, an insert with two recesses, a pivoting spring wire-form, and a retainer with two recessed latch receptacles allowing engagement of the two latch points on the spring wire-form.

7. An assembly comprising the artistic element platform of claim 1 and the artistic element frame assembly of claim 4.

8. An artistic element frame assembly comprising an artistic element holder frame assembly, further described as a rectangular, circular, elliptical, or spline-defined frame assembly having two or more straight or curved legs facing each other, which are capable of holding an artistic element platform. Among the legs of the artistic element holder frame assembly, there is a first leg facing a second leg, the first leg comprising a first recessed latch receptacle, and the second leg comprising a second recessed latch receptacle. This assembly also comprises a third leg facing a fourth leg, the third leg holding a spring wire-form. The legs each comprise a surface capable of contacting the front face of the artistic element platform. The first leg, second leg, third leg, and fourth leg each further comprising a side wall capable of restraining the adjacent edge of the artistic element platform. The spring wire-form, comprising a first latch point and a second latch point, with the first latch point capable of latching into the first recessed latch receptacle and the second latch point capable of latching into the second recessed latch receptacle.

9. The artistic element frame assembly of claim 6 further comprising one or more matching radii and/or chamfers for orientation and alignment of the artistic element platform of claim 1 within the artistic element frame assembly and with the radii and/or chamfers being approximately the same size or smaller than the adjacent radii and/or chamfers on the artistic element platform.

10. The assembly comprising the artistic element platform of claim 1 and the artistic element frame assembly of claim 6.

11. An artistic element platform capable of holding an artistic element, further described as being water-proof or water-resistant, being firm, being flat, convex, or concave, further comprising a tab that can engage with a spring-loaded latch on a frame assembly.

12. An artistic element frame assembly comprising a decorative frame and precision captivating means capable of insertion and captivation of the artistic element platform of claim 11.

13. An artistic element frame assembly comprising a decorative frame and a spring loaded latch capable of captivating the tab of the artistic element platform of claim 11.

14. An artistic element frame assembly comprising a decorative frame and magnetic captivating means capable of insertion and captivation of the artistic element platform of claim 1.

15. A method of manufacturing an artistic element platform which includes the following series of steps which may be done in a variety of sequences: cutting a firm water-proof or water-resistant material to the desired shape to form a platform, applying a light colored coating to the platform, applying a contact adhesive layer, applying an artistic image using inks or paints to a thin transparent or semi-transparent plastic film, adhering the thin transparent or semi-transparent plastic film to the platform, applying a waterproof or water resistant coating, and adding a UV resistant acrylic coat.

16. The method in claim 15 with the acrylic coat deleted.